Fujitsu is a multinational IT equipment and services leader. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, this Knowledge Leader has been on the forefront of technological innovation for over eight decades. In a recent interview, CEO Takahito Tokita said, “Our goal is to create value through technology. We want to be a company that can contribute to society by solving social issues through digital transformation.” Tokita also highlighted Fujitsu’s focus on customer-centric innovation. He explained that Fujitsu is not just providing technology; it’s working closely with customers to understand their challenges and develop solutions that meet their specific needs.

The Genesis of Fujitsu: A Tale of Innovation and Perseverance

Fujitsu’s story began in Tokyo, Japan, in 1935, born of a joint venture between Furukawa Electric Company, a Japanese electric and electronics equipment company, and Siemens AG, a German multinational conglomerate. The founders of Fujitsu were visionaries who saw the potential of telecommunications and computing, even in an era when these technologies were in their infancy.

The name “Fujitsu” is a blend of the Japanese word “Fuji,” derived from Furukawa, and “tsu” from Tsushinki, which translates to telecommunications equipment in Japanese, encapsulating the company’s focus on telecommunications and computing technology. In its early years, Fujitsu faced numerous challenges, including the devastation of World War II. One of the most significant milestones in Fujitsu’s history was the development of the FACOM 100, a symbol of Japan’s recovery and technological advancement in the post-war era.

Groundbreaking Technological Innovations: The Dawn of Supercomputing

Launched in 1977, the FACOM 230-10 was a marvel of engineering and computing power. It was designed to perform complex calculations at high speed, making it an invaluable tool for scientific research and industrial applications. The FACOM 230-10 was not just a supercomputer; it was a symbol of Fujitsu’s technological prowess and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what was possible.

The development of the FACOM 230-10 had a profound impact on a global scale. It marked Japan’s entry into the field of high-performance computing, a domain previously dominated by American companies. The FACOM 230-10 was not just a technological achievement for Fujitsu; it was a national achievement for Japan, signaling its emergence as a global leader in technology.

The FACOM 230-10 also brought about a transformation in the computing industry. It set new standards for speed and performance, challenging other companies to innovate and improve their own technologies. The FACOM 230-10 was a catalyst for the development of new applications and technologies, from weather prediction and climate modeling to computational fluid dynamics and molecular dynamics simulations.

The legacy of the FACOM 230-10 lives on in Fujitsu’s current supercomputing efforts. The company continues to be a leader in high-performance computing, with its supercomputers consistently ranking among the fastest in the world. Fujitsu’s supercomputers are used in a wide range of applications, from scientific research to industrial design, contributing to advancements in fields as diverse as climate science, medicine, and aerospace engineering.

Today: A Symphony of Solutions

Fujitsu’s product portfolio today is as diverse as it is innovative, spanning across various sectors and industries. The company’s offerings range from computing products, such as servers, storage systems, and workstations, to telecommunications equipment, advanced microelectronics, and even air conditioning systems. Each product is a testament to Fujitsu’s commitment to innovation and its ability to leverage technology to create value for its customers.

One of Fujitsu’s most significant products is its line of supercomputers, which continue the legacy of the FACOM 230-10. Fujitsu’s supercomputers are used in a wide range of applications, from scientific research to industrial design, contributing to advancements in fields as diverse as climate science, medicine, and aerospace engineering.

Fujitsu is also a leader in IT services, offering a wide range of solutions to help businesses navigate the digital transformation era. These services include cloud services, application services, infrastructure services, and security solutions. Fujitsu’s IT services are recognized for their quality and reliability, earning the company a significant market share in this sector.

Another key product category for Fujitsu is data center solutions. Fujitsu offers a comprehensive range of data center solutions, including servers, storage systems, and data center management software. These solutions are designed to help businesses manage their data efficiently and securely, enabling them to harness the power of data to drive growth and innovation.

Fujitsu Data Center, credit: Fujitsu

Fujitsu’s unique strength lies in its ability to integrate these diverse technologies to create innovative solutions. The company’s approach to innovation is customer-centric, focusing on understanding customer challenges and developing solutions that meet their specific needs. Fujitsu’s chief competitors include IBM, HP, and Oracle.

Fujitsu’s Worldwide Footprint

From its humble beginnings in Tokyo, Fujitsu has grown into a global technology giant. The company’s international expansion began in the 1960s, when it started exporting telecommunications equipment to countries in Asia. This marked the beginning of Fujitsu’s journey beyond its home market, setting the stage for its future growth and expansion. Today, Fujitsu operates in over 100 countries, employing more than 130,000 people worldwide. The company’s global operations span across various regions, including the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Fujitsu’s global reach is complemented by its network of offices and innovation centers. The company has over 500 offices worldwide, providing a local presence in the markets it serves. Fujitsu’s innovation centers, located in key technology hubs around the world, are hubs for research and development, driving innovation and creating new solutions for customers. Fujitsu’s global operations and innovative solutions have earned it recognition as one of the world’s most admired companies. The company has been recognized by Fortune magazine for its innovation, social responsibility, and quality of products and services.

Research and Development at Fujitsu: The Heartbeat of Innovation

At Fujitsu, R&D is not just a department; it’s the lifeblood of the company. Fujitsu’s commitment to R&D is driven by its belief in the power of innovation to shape a better future. This commitment is reflected in the company’s significant investments in R&D, which amount to approximately 5% of its annual revenue. Fujitsu’s approach to R&D is characterized by its focus on customer-centric innovation. The company works closely with customers to understand their challenges and develop innovative solutions that meet their specific needs. This approach ensures that Fujitsu’s innovations are not just technologically advanced, but also relevant and valuable to customers. Fujitsu’s R&D efforts span across various fields, from artificial intelligence and quantum computing to cybersecurity and data analytics. One of the most promising R&D projects at Fujitsu is its work on quantum-inspired computing. Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer, a quantum-inspired computing technology, is designed to solve complex combinatorial optimization problems, opening up new possibilities in fields such as finance, logistics, and drug discovery.

Digital Annealer, credit: Fujitsu

The company has R&D centers in countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and China. These centers collaborate with local universities, research institutions, and businesses, driving innovation and creating value for customers and society. Fujitsu’s international R&D activities also include partnerships with other companies and institutions. For instance, Fujitsu is collaborating with the University of Toronto in Canada on the development of quantum-inspired computing technologies. This partnership combines Fujitsu’s technological expertise with the university’s research capabilities, accelerating the development of new technologies and solutions.

Recent Product Breakthroughs: The Vanguard of Innovation

In the last five years, Fujitsu has continued to push the boundaries of innovation, resulting in several significant product breakthroughs, including the following.

Digital Annealer: In 2018, Fujitsu launched the Digital Annealer, a quantum-inspired computing technology designed to solve complex combinatorial optimization problems. The Digital Annealer has been used in various fields, from finance and logistics to drug discovery and machine learning, opening up new possibilities for problem-solving and decision-making.

Fugaku Supercomputer: In 2020, Fujitsu unveiled the Fugaku supercomputer, developed in collaboration with RIKEN, a Japanese research institute. Fugaku was named the world’s fastest supercomputer in June 2020, marking a significant achievement for Fujitsu and Japan. Fugaku is being used for a wide range of applications, including climate modeling, medical research, and disaster prevention.

AI-based Disease Prediction Technology: In 2021, Fujitsu announced the development of an AI-based technology for predicting diseases. This technology uses AI to analyze electronic health records and predict the likelihood of diseases, helping doctors make more informed decisions and improving patient outcomes.

Quantum-Inspired Optimization Services: In 2022, Fujitsu launched its quantum-inspired optimization services on the cloud. These services leverage the power of the Digital Annealer to provide businesses with powerful optimization solutions, enabling them to solve complex problems and make better decisions.

Fugaku Supercomputer, credit: Fujitsu

Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of Fujitsu’s innovation strategy. The company recognizes the transformative potential of AI and is committed to leveraging this technology to create value for its customers and society. Fujitsu’s AI initiatives span across various fields, from healthcare and finance to manufacturing and logistics. The company is using AI to develop innovative solutions that address complex challenges and drive growth and efficiency.

One of Fujitsu’s most significant AI initiatives is the development of Zinrai, its AI platform. Zinrai combines the power of machine learning and big data to provide advanced AI capabilities, such as image recognition, natural language processing, and predictive analytics. Zinrai is being used in various applications, from fraud detection and customer service to supply chain optimization and predictive maintenance.

Fujitsu is also using AI to improve healthcare outcomes. The company has developed an AI-based technology for predicting diseases, which uses AI to analyze electronic health records and predict the likelihood of diseases. This technology is helping doctors make more informed decisions and improving patient outcomes.

Fujitsu’s AI initiatives are not just about developing new technologies; they are about creating a better future. The company believes that AI has the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from climate change and healthcare to inequality and poverty. Looking ahead, AI will continue to play a critical role in Fujitsu’s future.

Collaborations and Partnerships: The Power of Synergy

One of Fujitsu’s most significant collaborations is with RIKEN, a Japanese research institute. Together, they developed the Fugaku supercomputer, which was named the world’s fastest supercomputer in 2020. This collaboration combined Fujitsu’s technological expertise with RIKEN’s research capabilities, resulting in a supercomputer that is contributing to advancements in various fields, from climate science to medical research. Fujitsu has also partnered with the University of Toronto in Canada on the development of quantum-inspired computing technologies. This partnership is leveraging the power of Fujitsu’s Digital Annealer to solve complex combinatorial optimization problems, opening up new possibilities in fields such as finance, logistics, and drug discovery. In addition, Fujitsu has a strategic partnership with Microsoft to deliver innovative cloud solutions to customers. This partnership combines Fujitsu’s expertise in IT services with Microsoft’s cloud technologies, enabling businesses to accelerate their digital transformation efforts. Fujitsu’s collaboration with NetApp, a leading provider of data storage solutions, is another example of its commitment to partnerships. Together, they are delivering integrated data storage solutions that help businesses manage their data efficiently and securely. These collaborations reflect Fujitsu’s belief in the power of partnerships to drive innovation. By working with other companies and institutions, Fujitsu has been able to leverage their expertise and resources to develop innovative solutions that meet the needs of its customers.

This Knowledge Leader spotlight was generated using our AI engine with a series of prompts custom-developed by Knowledge Leaders Capital and designed to uncover the innovation strategies of companies we consider to be Knowledge Leaders. We have edited it for content, style, and length.

The following sources are examples of sources that may have been consulted in the preparation of this spotlight.

• Fujitsu Official Website
• Fujitsu Journal
• “The FACOM 230-10: Japan’s First Supercomputer” – IEEE Annals of the History of Computing
• “Fujitsu’s Impact on High-Performance Computing” – HPCwire
• “Fujitsu’s Supercomputers: From the FACOM 230-10 to Today” – TOP500 Supercomputer Sites
• “The Global Impact of Fujitsu’s Supercomputers” – Nature Magazine.
• “Fujitsu’s IT Services” – Gartner Magic Quadrant
• “Fujitsu’s Data Center Solutions” – Data Center Knowledge
• “Fujitsu’s Market Share in IT Services” – IDC MarketScape
• “Fujitsu’s Competitors” – MarketWatch.
• “Fujitsu’s Operations in Africa” – Africa Business Communities
• “Fujitsu’s Innovation Centers” – Fujitsu Technology Review
• “Fujitsu: One of the World’s Most Admired Companies” – Fortune Magazine.
• “Fugaku: The World’s Fastest Supercomputer” – TOP500 Supercomputer Sites

As of 6/30/23, Fujitsu was held in the Knowledge Leaders Strategy.

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